Despite a loss away to Hamilton Accies in the Development League, Head of Youth at St Mirren, Allan McManus was pleased with the performance of the young Saints and feels they could have won the game.
After an end-to-end game, which saw St Mirren create a lot of chances and pressure the Hamilton defence, McManus said: “I thought it was a good game of football and we deserved something from the game.
The score line flatters. We had numerous opportunities and there was a lot of fantastic counter attacking football.”
The result sees the Saints remain in 14th place in the league, above St Johnstone, Dundee United and Dundee, on 21 points. However, McManus believes that it is the development that is more important than wins at this level.
He said: “I am really pleased from a performance aspect and it would have been really nice to get a win but in developmental football, the result is not the be all and end all.
“I thought, individually, the boys played particularly well. They worked really hard, and on another day we could have got something from the game.”
One who impressed was Josh Todd, who made several contributions going forward in the game. And was an ever-present threat to the Hamilton defence. One strike in particular, from the attacker, was caught on the volley from the edge of the box and the ball just over the bar.
McManus told of his delight: “Josh has been fantastic since he came to the club. His attitude and work ethic has really rubbed off on the younger lads.
Sometimes it is difficult for first team boys to come down and play. Credit to himself and other lads who have come in and shown the standard required.”
“Josh is still a young lad. He is 23 himself and I think he will be a fantastic signing for the club.”
Preparations begin for the development squad, as the buddies face a tough test from Kilmarnock at home next week. McManus said: “After a sit down with the manager, we will prepare our team for the game next week. It is another game for the younger ones to show what they have been doing.
Although results may not have gone our way, there have been signs that the players have been improving in the right manner.’
